Thais warned to save energy amid low oil prices

BANGKOK, January 14 (TNA) - The Ministry of Energy has suggested that Thai people continue to save energy despite declining world oil prices. Thai Permanent Secretary for Energy Areepong Phucha-um on Thursday urged motorists, in particular, to drive only when it is necessary, as lower oil prices are raising domestic energy consumption. Areepong foresaw that retail oil prices on the domestic market should remain low but stable in the first quarter of this year, or further drop slightly, unless there was any emergency, like a serious war among oil-producing countries. Areepong noted that global oil prices are likely to further fall because the US-based International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned of an economic slowdown in the immense Chinese economy, causing oil supplies from large-scaled petroleum-producing countries having slightly exceeded market demand and, probably, affected world stock markets more than earlier expected. As global oil prices have been declining, Thailand's consumption of refined oil in 2015 rose by 4.2 per cent from 2014. The senior official called on motorists to use their vehicles only when it is necessary, cap their top speed at 90 kilometers per hour, have their engines checked twice a year, use public transport whenever they can and keep tyre pressures at suitable levels to cut expenses and help relieve traffic congestion. (TNA)